The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-12-10


the tow-path in company with some man,
who was threatening him with violence.
The only question was whether that man
was the prisoner, In whose company the
deceased was proved to have boon up to
half an hour previously, or somebody else
whom no attempt to identify had been
made, and who had no conceivable motive
for the crime. The jury naturally preferred
the former alternative, and returned ver-
dict Of "Guilty."
Mr. and Mrs. Waffles were much pleased
with their lodger, Mr.. Bib, though they felt
rather sorry for the old gentlem an, too. 1t
was very sad to see him sitting in his room
oil day looking at the pictures or gazing
out OF the window with that blank express
sion on his face. But on the other hand,
young Mr.. Bib paid Mrs. Waffies an extra
half guinea per week for keeping an eye on
the old gentleman, and had also paid sew
eral weeks rent in advance, which Is by no
means the usual practice Of dodgers In the
neighborhood Of Remington Park, where
Mr.. and Mrs. Waffies resided Moreover,
so far from requiring extra attention, Mr..
Bib gave no trouble at all, but did whatever
he was told to do, and would never even
have asked for his meals II they had not
been forthcoming. That was why Mr.. AND
lodgcr
1t therefore gave Mrs. Waffles, as she
subsequently stated, quite turn' when
Mr.. Bib came downstairs one morning with
his hat and overcoat on, and evinced the
strongest intention OF going out for walk
Young Mr.. Bib had given strict instruc.
| tions that his father was on no account to
| leave the house, as, besides being unable
| to find his way back. he was liable to be-
come dangerously excited by the noise and
hustle of the streets. On the two or three
occasions when he had called to see his
| father young Mr.. Bib had always repeated
| these instructions. " was, in fact, his in
| tention to take his father away to q quiet
residence in the country as soon as he had
concluded certain business which he had
on hand.
Mrs. Waffles accordingly placed herself
before the door and explained to Mr.. Bib
that he could not leave the premises ut
present.
"Please-plense," stammered tho old gen.
tlemun, in what was for him rather an ex-
cited tone, "can't wait-my son Alfred
look" He drew newspaper from his
pocket and pointed 10 something in it. On
the pretense of looking at it Mrs. Waffles
drew him into the rarlor, where she saw
that it was morning paper which he had
somehow got hold of, and that he was
pointing to the report of the first days pro-
| ceedings in the trial of the Rev. Alfred
Stuckey at the Old Bailey AS she read
the passage over to humor him the old man
kept on repeating: "my son Alfred-murder
mel-no, no-not Alfred. Mustn't hang
Alfred"
Now in the parlor sat Mrs. Waffles' hus-
band taking his breakfast, for he was a
compositor in the Office of daily paper,
and u late riser. Mr. Bib's utterances made
a deep impression on Mr.. Waffles. He was
a man of considerable intelligence, and
moreover knew all the facts in the Stuckey
case by heart having been engaged on the
previous day in setting up in type report
Of the trial.
He's got some delusion in his head about
this trial." said Mrs. Waffies.
"Not so sure about that replied her hus-
band "Ie never had one before. Ask
him what he wants to do.'
| Mrs. Waffles did so. Mr.. Bib smiled
feebly and said: "Going to see Alfred
| mustn't hang my son Alfred"
"What is your name, sirf' asked Mr..
Waffles, in a loud tone.
"Stuckey. Martin Stuckcy," was the
prompt response.
"Precious rum delusionr' observed Mr.
Waffes. "Look here, Mr.. Stuckey, how
did you come herel"
The old man passed his hand across his
forehead and looked helplessly around hun.
"My son, Alfred" he SAID; then he paused
and shook his head. Presently he wen
on in rambling fashion: Went out with
Alfred-Ephraim changed my clothes
close by the rver-Ephruim pushed me
into train-No, mol Mustn't hang AL
fredp"
'.Theres something in this" said Mr.
Waffies, decisively. "He couldn't have go
all this out of newspaper. How do we
know that this old boy isn't Martin Stuckey
as he says He was brought here on the
very night Martin Stuckey disappeared
He had nothing about him to show hi.
name, you remember. Young Bib brought
him new linen and told him to mark it
Martin Stuckey was weak in the head; 81
is he. The name of Martin Stuckey'i
second son is Ephraim, and doesn't he cal
young Bib Ephraim! Put on your things
Sally, and come round with me to the
police. They will have description of ole
Stuckey, and will very soon tell us what tt
do. Look sharpl They may be sentencing
that poor devil to death this minute"
It was more than usually painful mo
ment when the jury gave their verdict
Close under the dock sat the white haired
rector OF Alfred Stuckey's parish, who haG
stood by his curate with touching faith, anc
whose daughter was reported to be en-
gagged to the prisoner. He rose as the yer
dict was given as though to comfort thu
unhappy man in the box. just beside hin
was Ephraim Stucl1ey, who had been ont
of the principal witnesses against his
brother. His position and the emotion hs
displayed while giving his evidence ex
cited much commiseration He had grown
deadly pale when the jury returned, anc
when the verdict was given he bnried hi.
face in his hands.
The Judge, in the usual form, asked tn,
prisoner whether he had any thing to say
At that moment there was some stir ant
confusion in the we'll OF the court, two o.
pushing their way toward the solicitor 10
the defense. The prisoner saw them. ant
great change came over his face.
"Only this, my lord" he said pointing t.
where Mr.. Bib stood between Mr.. and Mrs
Waffles, ''that there stands Martin Stuck
ey, my father, whom am accused o
numbering"
At the next session Of the Central Grim
inal Court, another member OF the Stuck
ey family stood in the dock. 1t wa
Ephraim this time, and he was indicted 70
perjury and for attempting to obtain none
from the Monument Assurance Compan
, by false pretences He was found guilt
] on both indictments and sentenced to seve
, years penal servitude for the first offenC
and five for the second, the judge obsery
inD that IL he had the power To DuSS